Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-12-30
PRUE'S BACKBONE.

W. HiN an Wtll u usuhl, nc
land thee knows how we'll that Is,
Tacy."
Yet when enterad the house the change
was there as it had been in Thomas face.
Sarah was in the sitting room overlooking
the garden.
Come to the window, said she.
Prue was among the shrubbery below,
walking up and down listlessly.
Poor child" sighed Sarah.
What ails herr" asked in alarm.
II know. chirped a small brisk voice,
even that of James, Thomas and Sarah's
young son, who had been reading book
as / entered the room
James. said |, lis that theef"
Thee knows it is. Tacy." answered he.
And | know what ails our Prue."
james, corrected his mother.
Yes, mother, returned he, and re.
sumcd his reading.
Thee knows" Sarah continued, cha,
Thomas and have once or twice beer
thought TO be rather too lenient in our
government of our children"
Mother here ventured James, bend
ing over his book, heres another whop.
per, a regular scroudger. Could thee tell
me the derivation of the word 'BoshY is il
the plain language?"
But his mother went on, holding up her
hand to silence the youth. When Ed.
ward Andover came, and afteward George
Bell, and we knew that each had kindly
feeling for Prue, we were astonished tn
she should come TO us one day and tel,Ls
that both the young men had asked ifney
might speak TO her father and me, b., that
she did not know which one ST. cared
most for, both appealed to her, ar
Edward Andover gave our Pue all the
white roses in the garden 'lnterposed
young James; that's all he fone.
james, corrected his p)ther.
Yes, mother, dutiful said he.
"Tacy," pursued Sadh, with energy,
at is not silly waverg on the part OF
Prudence. And we Ter father and /, re-
fuse 10 feel blamewo Thyme leave IL all
10 the child-we aever mention either
Young man to her There are puzzles in
this life which We must solW for ourselves
The young men have riv,l claims, even
though Prue may be little weak In not
cspousing one or the others cause Ed
ward -tndover is us thee knows him;
Geo-ge Bell"
- George w. Bells the btss kite maker
Of the earth, cried James. I'm size him
ep; he went to college. and ais father al
bwed him $12, 900 900 the irst year, but
Professors window, so lie cut him
Gown"
James, corrected his motier.
Yes, mother dutifully returned he.
James is partisan of Gorge Bell"
Whispered Sarah, 'for the 'oung man
gives him toys and books. aid the like
What is thee reading now. som"
r Robinson Crusoe, answereoJames. "a
Brine book. Friday he done ONE of the
| nldest things"
! Did, James, corrected |.
"Oh. yes" said he. well after Fri.
day had did some of the"
Done" corrected |.
Il said that once-thats tchestnut
ANYWAY, l know what ails our 'rue-she
hasn't got any backbone.
James, corrected his mothe,
Yes. mother" said he, but he rose and
kissed her before he began nev chapter
of his book.
went down to Prue, She Ire from
her belt little posy of white rose
oh, Taoy," she said, whenl had
talked freely, chad mother and rher In
the uEsl DlaCt tOll tllul bltl
Edward Andover"
Then thee would have fav,ed the
9th man, retorted |.
Il don't know" she murmured. 81 al
ways have my own way it seems. But"
and here she clutchd my gown, hiking
wild at me, "let me whisper to the--and
beg of thee not TO repeat it indors-I
l have promised to decide to-day. Ihave
n PROMISED both. And how it woull dis
IN trcss mother md father TO know tot /
carry this wavering so far. Pity me-
Here a shrill, low voice startled us, md
Prue hurried away through the bIhes.
/ glanced about me in wonderment. Jmes
was near at hand.
Il want to tell thee something. TIDY"
said he. Tonight our Prue's goinl TO
elope.
! gasped the word he had said so chr.
fully.
Il fixed it," young James went ono
ioyously. I'm primer fixer that's
sort She's going TO elope like they doo
books-my school books has stories sh |
Gretna Green and them places. Yes, Pr
going TO elope with Edward Andover
George w Bell"
with bothl" l managed TO say, !
quite calmly, for | saw what lay befl
me- with both?'
Yes" James answered throwing
pellet of mud a sparrow; Il fixed it. 4
heard me whistle just now. That was
tell Prue George ". Bell was here. y
ward Andover will shoot along al
awhile When Prue would like to Ii
with Edward Andover ! 90 after Gequ
w. Bell; when wants George w IN
hunt up Edward Andovcr Sometih
she goes for me, but that don't cot
She amt got any backbone and she's 90
get il. After dinner I'll show thee
tops; not rat amongst them. Can v
4 spin top on thy headH-on the bald sI'
mean, where thee drags the hair over
hide il? Is thee much older than mothfs !
But elope What does thee mean
burst out.
Father and mother won't hear anythn
about anything darcn't say word.
they're worried for ! hear them talk
when I'm in bed And my mother sh 1
I've worried by Pruc nor nobody.
threw back his hat. Our Prue dc|
IL. rl..